The Pointer is an athletic gun dog with loads of spirit and enthusiasm! Happy-go-lucky and occasionally mischievous, he has a love of life that is often contagious to his owners. The breed is proficient in obedience, hunting in the field, as well as in the home… as long as the owner has the same amount of energy as the dog. Because of his hunting background, the Pointer was bred to go-go-go! He retains this concept in mind as well as body.
Despite his rugged nature, the Pointer is a lover of comfort and prefers to live inside the house. He also considers himself to be a member of the family and isn’t very happy if he lives outside all by himself. He needs human contact, preferably people who will play with him and laugh at his antics. For this reason, he is a great dog for owners with kids! With a level head and even temperament, he can usually be trusted with children of all ages, although his energy level makes him more suited to kids older than toddler-age. He is an equally adept pet for single-person households as well, just as long as his owner gives him the same amount of attention that he, himself, gives. Pointers are known for being loyal.
While not a guard dog, Pointers make great watch/patrol dogs. Naturally protective of their properties, they will sound an alarm whenever someone arrives at the house. Don’t expect them to react any stronger than their warning bark, however… most Pointers love everyone! Strangers usually don’t stay strangers for long, for this breed enjoys making new friends. Aggression is practically unheard of in this breed, with only the very rare exception here and there.
These English gun dogs were bred to work all day, and as such they need a job for fulfillment. Obedience is a great way to fill this task although most Pointers will do almost anything asked of them. Agility, rally, tracking, and of course hunting are but a few of the many talents of this breed. They are exceptionally hard-working and will often put much effort into their “job”. They are generally considered easy to train and some people even say they are one of the best breeds for competitive obedience. 
Pointers need daily exercise… and plenty of it! One to two hours of exercise a day is recommended – and walking normally won’t cut it. Jogging or biking with the dog is more in-line with what these dogs need. Their energy level does not make them compatible with apartment life. Not only are they high-energy, but they are considered “intense” by many. Everything they do is with marked enthusiasm and vigor, even when playing! As such, they are not recommended for the elderly or infirm. As with most high energy breeds, Pointers have the potential to be destructive if not given enough outlets.
This breed is friendly to everyone, including other dogs, cats and small animals. Pet birds may be the one exception, since they were bred to stalk feathered prey. Although Pointers weren’t bred to kill birds, most have an above-average interest in them which might cause the bird to get hurt. Pointers are also incredibly empathetic and seem to have a natural sense for what others are feeling – particularly humans. Some will mimic the temperaments of their owners. Shy people, for example, often end up with shy Pointers.
Like many bird dogs, the Pointer can be mouthy and may need extra work getting them to stop play-biting at hands. Luckily, this is a soft-mouthed breed (most of the time) that doesn’t normally inflect much damage beyond a bit of drool on skin. Either way, this behavior needs to be stopped early on. Giving the dog his own toys to carry around often helps fulfill his desire to have things in his mouth!